U.S. patent application number 16/653909 was filed with the patent office on 2020-10-22 for wireless communication interface and driving method thereof.
This patent application is currently assigned to Au Optronics Corporation. The applicant listed for this patent is Au Optronics Corporation. Invention is credited to Chia-Hua Hu, Chi-Hung Lu, Jen-Lang Tung.
Application Number | 20200336197 16/653909 |
Document ID | / |
Family ID | 1000004423695 |
Filed Date | 2020-10-22 |
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United States Patent
Application |
20200336197 |
Kind Code |
A1 |
Hu; Chia-Hua ; et
al. |
October 22, 2020 |
WIRELESS COMMUNICATION INTERFACE AND DRIVING METHOD THEREOF
Abstract
A wireless communication interface and a driving method thereof
are provided. The wireless communication interface includes a
substrate, a plurality of active antennas, a plurality of passive
antennas, and a sensing driving circuit. The active antennas are
disposed on the substrate for receiving a radio frequency signal.
The passive antennas are disposed on the substrate for resonating
the RF signals of the adjacent active antennas in response to a
control signal. The sensing driving circuit is coupled to the
active antennas and the passive antennas for providing the radio
frequency signal and the control signal.
Inventors: |
Hu; Chia-Hua; (Hsinchu,
TW) ; Lu; Chi-Hung; (Hsinchu, TW) ; Tung;
Jen-Lang; (Kaohsiung City, TW) |
|
Applicant: |
Name |
City |
State |
Country |
Type |
Au Optronics Corporation |
Hsinchu |
|
TW |
|
|
Assignee: |
Au Optronics Corporation
Hsinchu
TW
|
Family ID: |
1000004423695 |
Appl. No.: |
16/653909 |
Filed: |
October 15, 2019 |
Current U.S.
Class: |
1/1 |
Current CPC
Class: |
H04B 1/06 20130101; H04B
7/0834 20130101 |
International
Class: |
H04B 7/08 20060101
H04B007/08; H04B 1/06 20060101 H04B001/06 |
Foreign Application Data
Date |
Code |
Application Number |
Apr 22, 2019 |
TW |
108114003 |
Claims
1. A wireless communication interface, comprising: a substrate; a
plurality of active antennas, disposed on the substrate and
configured to receive a radio frequency signal; a plurality of
passive antennas, disposed on the substrate and configured to
resonate the radio frequency signal of the adjacent active antennas
in response to a control signal; and a sensing driving circuit,
coupled to the active antennas and the passive antennas and
configured to provide the radio frequency signal and provide the
control signal.
2. The wireless communication interface according to claim 1,
wherein when the wireless communication interface is in a scan
mode, the active antennas sequentially receive the radio frequency
signal and are sequentially turned on in response to the radio
frequency signal, and the passive antennas which are adjacent to
the active antennas and receive the radio frequency signal are
turned on.
3. The wireless communication interface according to claim 1,
wherein when the wireless communication interface is in a
transaction mode, one of the active antennas receives the radio
frequency signal and is turned on in response to the radio
frequency signal, and the rest of the active antennas and the
passive antennas are turned off.
4. The wireless communication interface according to claim 1,
wherein when the wireless sensing interface is in a transaction
mode, one of the passive antennas is turned on in response to the
control signal, the active antenna which is adjacent to the
turned-on passive antenna and receives the radio frequency signal
and is turned on in response to the radio frequency signal, and the
rest of the active antennas and the rest of the passive antennas
are turned off.
5. The wireless communication interface according to claim 1,
wherein each of the passive antennas is connected in series with a
scan switch and a resonant capacitor, wherein the scan switch
receives the control signal and is turned off or on in response to
the control signal.
6. The wireless communication interface according to claim 1,
wherein with respect to a surface that the substrate is disposed,
the active antennas and the passive antennas are arranged in an
array.
7. The wireless communication interface according to claim 1,
wherein with respect to a surface that the substrate is disposed,
at least one of the passive antennas is disposed in each of the
active antennas.
8. The wireless communication interface according to claim 1,
wherein with respect to a surface that the substrate is disposed,
at least one of the active antennas is disposed in each of the
passive antennas.
9. A driving method of a wireless communication interface,
comprising: during a scan mode of the wireless communication
interface, sequentially receiving a radio frequency signal by a
plurality of active antennas of the wireless communication
interface to sequentially turn on the active antennas in response
to the radio frequency signal, and turning on passive antennas
adjacent to the active antennas receiving the radio frequency
signal; determining whether a sensed device is in proximity to the
wireless communication interface; and when the sensed device is in
proximity to the wireless communication interface, switching the
wireless communication interface to a transaction mode and turning
on at least one of the active antennas.
10. The driving method of the wireless communication interface
according to claim 9, further comprising: when the wireless
communication interface is in the transaction mode, receiving the
radio frequency signal by one of the active antennas to turn on the
one of the active antennas in response to the radio frequency
signal, and turning off the rest of the active antennas and the
passive antennas.
11. The driving method of the wireless communication interface
according to claim 9, further comprising: when the wireless sensing
interface is in the transaction mode, turning on one of the passive
antennas in response to the control signal, receiving the radio
frequency signal by the active antenna adjacent to the turned-on
passive antenna to turn on the active antenna in response to the
radio frequency signal, and turning off the rest of the active
antennas and the rest of the passive antennas.
12. The driving method of the wireless communication interface
according to claim 9, further comprising: when the sensed device is
in proximity to the wireless communication interface, determining a
transaction action of a user according to the position of the
active antenna receiving the radio frequency signal.
Description
CROSS-REFERENCE TO RELATED APPLICATION
[0001] This application claims the priority benefit of Taiwan
application serial no. 108114003, filed on Apr. 22, 2019. The
entirety of the above-mentioned patent application is hereby
incorporated by reference herein and made a part of this
specification.
BACKGROUND OF THE INVENTION
1. Field of the Invention
[0002] The invention relates to a communication interface, and
particularly to a wireless communication interface and a driving
method thereof.
2. Description of Related Art
[0003] With the popularity of the network, e-commerce has become a
trend, and the use of electronic tickets such as credit cards or
Easycard has become more common. In general, an electronic ticket
receives power from a reader in a wireless manner, so that a
circuit in the electronic ticket activated, and information
required for transaction is finally transmitted back by the
circuit. Therefore, the electronic ticket is usually placed in a
fixed position. In order to make the use of the electronic ticket
more flexible, the reader needs more antennas (or antenna matrices)
for configuration corresponding to different positions. However,
more antennas represent higher flexibility in the use of the
electronic ticket, but require higher power consumption.
Conversely, fewer antennas can reduce power consumption, but have
less flexibility in the use of the electronic ticket.
SUMMARY OF THE INVENTION
[0004] The invention provides a wireless communication interface
and a driving method thereof, which can maintain the flexibility in
use of an electronic ticket, but reduce consumed power.
[0005] The wireless communication interface of the invention
includes a substrate, a plurality of active antennas, a plurality
of passive antennas and a sensing driving circuit. The active
antennas are disposed on the substrate and configured to receive a
radio frequency signal. The passive antennas are disposed on the
substrate and configured to resonate the radio frequency signal of
the adjacent active antennas in response to a control signal. The
sensing driving circuit is coupled to the active antennas and the
passive antennas and configured to provide the radio frequency
signal and providing the control signal.
[0006] The driving method of the wireless communication interface
of the invention includes the following steps. During a scan mode
of the wireless communication interface, a radio frequency signal
is sequentially received by a plurality of active antennas of the
wireless communication interface to sequentially turn on active
antennas in response to the radio frequency signal, and passive
antennas which are adjacent to the active antennas and receive the
radio frequency signal are turned on. Whether a sensed device is in
proximity to the wireless communication interface is determined.
When the sensed device is in proximity to the wireless
communication interface, the wireless communication interface is
switched to a transaction mode, and at least one of the active
antennas is turned on.
[0007] Based on the above, in summary, in the wireless
communication interface and the driving method thereof of the
embodiments of the invention, the passive antennas couple the radio
frequency signal of the active antennas to meet the requirement of
sensing resolution. Thereby, an overall sensing effect can be
achieved, and the required power consumption can be reduced.
[0008] In order to make the aforementioned and other objectives and
advantages of the invention comprehensible, embodiments accompanied
with figures are described in detail below.
BRIEF DESCRIPTION OF THE DRAWINGS
[0009] FIG. 1A is a schematic system diagram of an electronic
device according to an embodiment of the invention.
[0010] FIG. 1B is a schematic circuit diagram of a passive antenna
coupled to a switch and a capacitor according to an embodiment of
the invention.
[0011] FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0012] FIG. 3 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0013] FIG. 4 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0014] FIG. 5 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention.
[0015] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a driving method of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention.
DESCRIPTION OF THE EMBODIMENTS
[0016] Unless otherwise defined, all terms (including technical and
scientific terms) used herein have the same meaning as commonly
understood by one of ordinary skill in the art to which the
invention belongs. It will be further understood that terms such as
those defined in commonly used dictionaries should be interpreted
as having a meaning that is consistent with their meaning in the
context of the relevant art and the invention and will not be
interpreted in an idealized or overly formal sense unless expressly
so defined herein.
[0017] It should be understood that although terms such as "first",
"second", and "third" in this specification may be used for
describing various elements, components, areas, layers, and/or
parts, the elements, components, areas, layers, and/or parts are
not limited by such terms. The terms are only used to distinguish
one element, component, area, layer, or part from another element,
component, area, layer, or part. Therefore, the "first element",
"component, "area", "layer", or "part" described below may also be
referred to as a second element, component, area, layer, or part
without departing from the teachings of the invention.
[0018] The terms used herein are merely used for describing
particular embodiments rather than limiting the invention. As used
in this specification, the articles "a", "an", and "the" are
intended to include plural forms and include "at least one", unless
the context clearly indicates otherwise. "Or" means "and/or". As
used herein, the term "and/or" includes any and all combinations of
one or more related items listed. It should also be understood that
as used in this specification, the term "comprises," "includes,"
and "has" specify the presence of stated features, numbers,
operations, members, elements, and/or combinations thereof, but do
not preclude the presence or addition of one or more other
features, numbers, operations, members, elements, and/or
combinations thereof.
[0019] FIG. 1A is a schematic system diagram of an electronic
device according to an embodiment of the invention. In the present
embodiment, an electronic device 100 may be an electronic vending
machine or other devices, but the embodiments of the invention are
not limited thereto. Referring to FIG. 1A, in the present
embodiment, the electronic device 100 includes a wireless
communication interface 110 and a display device 120. The display
device 120 may be any one or any combination of display modules of
any type, and the embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto.
[0020] The wireless communication interface 110 includes a sensing
driving circuit 111 and a communication interface circuit 113. The
communication interface circuit 113 includes a substrate SB, a
plurality of active antennas A11-A16 and a plurality of passive
antennas B11-B16, that is, a ratio of the number of the active
antennas to the number of the passive antennas is 1:1. The sensing
driving circuit 111 is coupled to the active antennas A11-A16 of
the communication interface circuit 113 to provide a radio
frequency signal Srf to a corresponding portion of (for example,
one or more of) the active antennas A11-A16 and is coupled to the
passive antennas B11-B16 of the communication interface circuit 113
to provide a control signal Sc1 to a corresponding portion of (for
example, one or more of) the passive antennas B11-B16.
[0021] The active antennas A11-A16 are disposed on the substrate SB
for receiving the radio frequency signal Srf and providing power in
a wireless manner by using the radio frequency signal Srf. The
passive antennas B11-B16 are disposed on the substrate SB for
resonating the radio frequency signal Srf of the adjacent active
antennas in response to the control signal Sc1 such that the
wireless power may be extended. The passive antennas B11-B16 may
implement the signal resonance by using a magnetic resonance
coupling (MRC) technology, but the embodiments of the invention are
not limited thereto.
[0022] In the present embodiment, with respect to a surface that
the substrate SB is disposed, the active antennas A11-A16 and the
passive antennas B11-B16 are arranged in an array. In other words,
on the substrate SB, the active antennas A11-A16 are respectively
disposed adjacent to the corresponding portions of the passive
antennas B11-B16, but the active antennas A11-A16 are not adjacent
to each other, and the passive antennas B11-B16 are not adjacent to
each other.
[0023] In a circuit operation, the electronic device 100 may be
first operated in a scan mode transaction information (such as an
item or commodity for sale) may be disposed on the display device
120, and the wireless communication interface 110 scans to
determine whether a sensed device is in proximity to the wireless
communication interface 110 and determine a position to which the
sensed device is in proximity.
[0024] In the scan mode, the active antennas A11-A16 sequentially
receive the radio frequency signal Srf and are sequentially turned
on in response to the radio frequency signal Srf, and the passive
antennas (e.g., B11-B16) which are adjacent to the active antennas
and receive the radio frequency signal Srf are turned on. For
example, when the active antenna A11 receives the radio frequency
signal Srf, the passive antennas B11 and B12 may be turned on. When
the active antenna A12 receives the radio frequency signal Srf, the
passive antennas B11 and B13 may be turned on. The same manner is
adopted for the rest and will not be repeated herein. The
above-mentioned "sequentially" turned on may not be turned on "one
by one", but may be turned on two by two or alternated with each
other in time. For example, the active antennas A11 and A13 may be
turned on firstly, and then the active antennas A12 and A13 are
turned on. The same manner is adopted for the rest and may be
determined according to the transaction information/items displayed
on the display device 120, but the embodiments of the invention are
not limited thereto.
[0025] After confirming the position to which the sensed device is
in proximity, the wireless communication interface 110 (i.e., the
sensing driving circuit 111) may identify a user's transaction
action (i.e., the item or commodity to be purchased) through the
position to which the sensed device is in proximity. That is, the
user's transaction action may be determined according to the
position of the active antenna receiving the radio frequency signal
Srf. Next, the wireless communication interface 110 may provide a
signal indicating the transaction action to an external processing
circuit and receive a signal confirming a transaction from the
external processing circuit. Alternatively, the wireless
communication interface 110 (i.e., the sensing driving circuit 111)
may directly perform a transaction confirmation action after
identifying the transaction action.
[0026] At this time, the electronic device 100 may operate in a
transaction mode, and the display device 120 may display a text or
symbol that confirms the transaction. Correspondingly, the active
antennas (e.g., A11-A16) and/or the passive antennas (e.g.,
B11-B16) corresponding to the position of the text or symbol that
confirms the transaction may be turned on to sense whether the
sensed device is in proximity to the text or symbol that confirms
the transaction, thereby confirming whether the transaction
proceeds.
[0027] For example, when the text or symbol that confirms the
transaction corresponds to one of the active antennas (e.g.,
A11-A16), only the radio frequency signal Srf may be provided to
the corresponding active antennas (e.g., A11-A16) to turn on the
corresponding active antennas (e.g., A11-A16) and turn off the
other active antennas (e.g., A11-A16) and all the passive antennas
(e.g., B11-B16). When the text or symbol that confirms the
transaction corresponds to one of the passive antennas (e.g.,
B11-B16), only the corresponding passive antennas (e.g., B11-B16)
may be turned on, the other passive antennas (e.g., B11-B16) may be
turned off, the radio frequency signal Srf may be provided to at
least one of the active antennas (e.g., A11-A16) adjacent to the
corresponding passive antennas (e.g., B11-B16) to turn on the
adjacent active antennas (e.g., A11-A16), and the other active
antennas (e.g., A11-A16) may also be turned off.
[0028] Then, when the electronic device 100 senses that the sensed
device is in proximity to the text or symbol that confirms the
transaction or the electronic device 100 operates in the
transaction mode for a preset time, the electronic device 100 is
switched to the scan mode to wait for a next transaction action of
the user. Thereby, the passive antennas couple the radio frequency
signal of the active antennas, so that an overall sensing effect
may be achieved, and the required power consumption may be
reduced.
[0029] In the embodiments of the invention, the communication
interface circuit 113 may communicate with the sensed device
through a wireless communication manner such as near-field
communication (NFC), and the sensed device may be an electronic
device with an antenna, such as a mobile device or a smart card,
but the embodiments of the invention are not limited thereto.
[0030] FIG. 1B is a schematic circuit diagram of a passive antenna
coupled to a switch and a capacitor according to an embodiment of
the invention. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 1B, in the present
embodiment, each passive antenna Bx (e.g., B11-B16) is connected in
series with a scan switch SW and a resonant capacitor C. The scan
switch SW receives a control signal Sc1 and is turned off or on in
response to the control signal Sc1. When the scan switch SW is
turned on in response to the control signal Sc1, the passive
antenna Bx is turned on. When the scan switch SW is turned off in
response to the control signal Sc1, the passive antenna Bx is
turned off.
[0031] FIG. 2 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 2, a wireless
communication interface 200 is substantially the same as the
wireless communication interface 110, different therefrom in a
communication interface circuit 213. The same or similar elements
use the same or similar reference numerals. In the present
embodiment, the communication interface circuit 213 includes a
substrate SB, a plurality of active antennas A21-A24 and a
plurality of passive antennas B21-B28, that is, a ratio of the
number of the active antennas to the number of the passive antennas
is 1:2. Furthermore, in the present embodiment, with respect to a
surface that the substrate SB is disposed, the active antennas
A21-A24 and the passive antennas B21-B28 are still arranged in an
array, but the active antennas A21-A24 are mainly disposed at
corner portions of the substrate SB, and the passive antennas
B21-B28 are disposed in other regions.
[0032] FIG. 3 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 3, a wireless
communication interface 300 is substantially the same as the
wireless communication interface 110, but different therefrom in a
communication interface circuit 313. The same or similar elements
use the same or similar reference numerals. In the present
embodiment, the communication interface circuit 313 includes a
substrate SB, a plurality of active antennas A31-A34 and a
plurality of passive antennas B31-B34, that is, a ratio of the
number of the active antennas to the number of the passive antennas
is 1:1.
[0033] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, with respect to a
surface that the substrate SB is disposed, the passive antennas
B31-B34 are, for example, disposed one by one along a direction
from the left side to the right side of the substrate SB, and one
of the active antennas A31-A34 is disposed in each of the passive
antennas B31-B34. For example, the active antenna A31 is disposed
in the passive antenna B31, the active antenna A32 is disposed in
the passive antenna B32, and the same manner is adopted for the
rest.
[0034] In the above embodiment, the passive antennas are disposed
along a specific direction, and the active antenna is disposed in
the passive antenna. However, in other embodiments, the passive
antennas may be arranged in an array, and at least one active
antenna may be disposed in each of the passive antennas, depending
on the needs of the circuit design, but the embodiments of the
invention are not limited thereto.
[0035] FIG. 4 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 4, a wireless
communication interface 400 is substantially the same as the
wireless communication interface 110, but different therefrom in a
communication interface circuit 413. The same or similar elements
use the same or similar reference numerals. In the present
embodiment, the communication interface circuit 413 includes a
substrate SB, a plurality of active antennas A41-A48 and a
plurality of passive antennas B41-B44, that is, a ratio of the
number of the active antennas to the number of the passive antennas
is 2:1.
[0036] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, with respect to a
surface that the substrate is disposed, the passive antennas
B41-B44 are, for example, disposed one by one along a direction
from the left side to the right side of the substrate SB, and two
of the active antennas A41-A48 are disposed in each of the passive
antennas B41-B44. For example, the active antennas A41 and A42 are
disposed in the passive antenna B41, the active antennas A43 and
A44 are disposed in the passive antenna B42, and the same manner is
adopted for the rest.
[0037] In the above embodiment, two active antennas are disposed in
each of the passive antennas. However, in other embodiments, more
than two active antennas may be disposed in each of the passive
antennas, and different numbers of active antennas may be disposed
in each of the passive antennas, depending on the needs of the
circuit design. The embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto.
[0038] FIG. 5 is a schematic system diagram of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 1A and FIG. 5, a wireless
communication interface 500 is substantially the same as the
wireless communication interface 110, but different therefrom in a
communication interface circuit 513. The same or similar elements
use the same or similar reference numerals. In the present
embodiment, the communication interface circuit 513 includes a
substrate SB, a plurality of active antennas A51-A54 and a
plurality of passive antennas B51-B54, that is, a ratio of the
number of the active antennas to the number of the passive antennas
is 1:1.
[0039] Furthermore, in the present embodiment, with respect to a
surface that the substrate is disposed, the active antennas A51-A54
are arranged in an array, and one of the passive antennas B51-B54
is disposed in each of the active antennas A51-A54. For example,
the passive antenna B51 is disposed in the active antenna A51, the
passive antenna B52 is disposed in the active antenna A52, and the
same manner is adopted for the rest.
[0040] In the above embodiment, one passive antenna is disposed in
each of the passive antennas. However, in other embodiments, more
than one passive antenna may be disposed in each of the active
antennas, and different numbers of passive antennas may be disposed
in each of the active antennas, depending on the needs of the
circuit design. The embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto.
[0041] Moreover, in the above embodiment, the active antennas are
arranged in an array, and the passive antenna is disposed in the
active antenna. However, in other embodiments, the active antennas
may be disposed along a specific direction (for example, from left
to right), and at least one passive antenna may be disposed in each
of the active antennas, depending on the needs of the circuit
design. The embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto.
[0042] FIG. 6 is a flow chart of a driving method of a wireless
communication interface according to an embodiment of the
invention. Referring to FIG. 6, in the present embodiment, the
driving method of the wireless communication interface includes the
following steps. In step S610, the wireless communication interface
is switched to a scan mode. In step S620, during the scan mode of
the wireless communication interface, active antennas sequentially
receive a radio frequency signal and are sequentially turned on in
response to the radio frequency signal, and passive antennas which
are adjacent to the active antennas and receive the radio frequency
signal are turned on. In step S630, whether a sensed device is in
proximity to the wireless communication interface is determined.
When the sensed device is not in proximity to the wireless
communication interface, that is, the determination result of step
S630 is "No", the flow returns to step S620. When the sensed device
is in proximity to the wireless communication interface, that is,
the determination result in step S630 is "Yes", perform step S640
is performed. In step S630, the wireless communication interface is
switched to a transaction mode, and at least one of the active
antennas is turned on to confirm whether the transaction is
completed. When the transaction is completed or the time that the
wireless communication interface waits for is more than preset
time, the flow returns to step S610 to return to the scan mode. The
sequence of steps S610, S620, S630 and S640 is used for the
description, and the embodiments of the invention are not limited
thereto. Moreover, for details related to steps S610, S620, S630
and S640, reference may be made to the embodiments of FIG. 1A, FIG.
1B and FIG. 2 to FIG. 5, which are not repeated herein.
[0043] Based on the above, according to the wireless communication
interface and the driving method thereof of the embodiments of the
invention, the passive antennas couple the radio frequency signal
of the active antennas. Thereby, the effect of overall sensing can
be achieved, and the required power consumption can be reduced.
[0044] Although the invention is described with reference to the
above embodiments, the embodiments are not intended to limit the
invention. A person of ordinary skill in the art may make
variations and modifications without departing from the spirit and
scope of the invention. Therefore, the protection scope of the
invention should be subject to the appended claims.
* * * * *